Key events and critical incidents influencing transport mode switching behavior - an exploratory study

This paper reports the findings of a qualitative research project about the impact of key events and critical incidents on transport mode choice switching behavior among 115 subjects. The results indicate that some key events and critical incidents have a dramatic impact on transport mode switching behavior. While events in one's personal life may lead people to switch their transport mode, attributes of the modes and the transportation system at large seem less influential. Implications for service management of public transportation firms are discussed.